Koijam plea on rebel package

IMPHAL, March 10: Manipur Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam has urged the Centre to provide a rehabilitation package for surrendered militants. Koijam, on his recent trip to New Delhi, informed Samata Party leader and Union defence minister George Fernandes about the state's unemployment problem and lack of funds for rehabilitating surrendered militants. As there are no private industries and enterprises, the state's over three lakh unemployed youth depend on the government for employment, Koijam said. Requesting the defence minister to set up a "Manipur regiment" in the Army, Koijam asked him to organise special recruitment rallies in the state for various active services under the defence ministry. Sources said Fernandes had assured the Chief Minister that the NDA government was keen to develop the Northeast. The Chief Minister met Union health minister C.P. Thakur and urged him to provide a special package to tackle the AIDS menace in the state. He also requested the health minister to improve the infrastructure at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal. Cabinet discussion: The Manipur Cabinet has discussed the unilateral ceasefire announced by the People's Front government with all insurgent groups in the state in connection with the Yaoshang festival this month. The co-ordination committee of the People's Front will convene a meeting on Monday to review the progress of the ceasefire. The Cabinet has sent its decision to the prime minister, home minister, defence minister and finance minister. It has also reviewed the 26-point action plan submitted to Union home minister L. K. Advani on January 6 by then Chief Minister W. Nipamacha Singh. The Cabinet has decided to slash the perks and benefits given to ministers, secretaries and commissioners and provided STD facilities to finance and home department officials only.